OTTAWA CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 21729, 15 June 1932, Page 7

OTTAWA CONFERENCE

POSITION OF FREE STATE. PROSPECTS NOW BLEAK. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, June 13. Mr J. H. Thomas was asked in the House of Commons whether, as a result of the recent conversations with the members of the Irish Free State Government, it was now proposed to conduct further negotiations in preparation for Ottawa. He had, he said, nothing to add to the official communique issued last Friday except that he understood it was likely a further communication would be received from the President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State after he had had an opportunity for discussion with his colleagues. The Dublin correspondent of The Tin :s states that Mr de Valera’s attitude has rendered the prospects for the Ottawa Conference bleak, and it would not be surprising if the Government cancelled the delegation, especially if it withholds the land annuities. CONSULTATIONS INCOMPLETE. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, June IS. Consultations between the Canadian Government and other Governments to be represented at Ottawa are not yet complete, but Mr Thomas stated in the House of Commons during a debate on Friday that all the information available would be given. EMPIRE CURRENCY A CANADIAN SUGGESTION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Ottawa, June 13. A common currency acceptable at par throughout the Empire is advocated by General A. D. Mcßae. A central Imperial bank would control the currency, backed by Britain’s gold reserves. He was confident the plan would re-establish a British world trade leadership. General Mcßae predicts that the United States will be off the gold standard within a year.